Is It Really Effective To Close The Shutters To Reduce Your Heating Bill?

Properly managing the closing of your shutters can really make a difference and help you reduce your energy bills, as long as it’s done during the right times. But what are the right actions to adopt? Do you really need to close your shutters at night to conserve heat? Are the savings substantial?

Why closing your shutters can reduce heat loss?

Windows, although essential for providing light and ventilation, are also a major source of heat loss. According to ADEME, they can represent up to 25% of heat loss in a house, even with modern double or triple glazed windows.

Shutters play a key role in thermal insulation. By closing them at nightfall, they form an additional barrier against the cold by trapping the air between the window and the shutter. This helps maintain heat inside your home and limits heat exchange with the outside. Better yet, if you combine closed shutters with thermal curtains or thick double curtains, you can reduce heat loss through your windows by up to 60% according to ADEME.

Little tip: if you have single-glazed or old windows, closing the shutters is even more crucial. Indeed, glass alone is not a good insulator and heat loss will be greater. To maintain as much heat as possible, don’t wait to go to bed, close the shutters as soon as dusk arrives.

Economic advantages: visible gains on the bill

Closing your shutters every evening can have a direct impact on your heating budget. According to an estimate from Hellowatt, in an average 110 m² house heated with electricity, annual heating costs reach around €1,800. If we estimate that closing the shutters can reduce heat loss through windows by 60%, the savings could represent around 2% of this bill – a significant amount in the long term! And for homes with older windows, these savings can be even greater.

In short, every gesture counts, and it is easy to integrate into your daily routine to save money while limiting your ecological impact.

How to use your shutters correctly depending on the season?

The optimal use of shutters changes with the seasons. Here are some small adjustments to implement depending on the season to maximize the effectiveness of your shutters as a thermal solution:

In winter

The day : leave your shutters open to take advantage of even the slightest ray of sunlight. Natural light warms your rooms and reduces your heating needs.
At night : close your shutters at dusk to conserve the heat stored during the day.

In summer, it’s the opposite:

The day : leave your shutters closed as long as possible to prevent the sun from overheating your interiors, while keeping your rooms a little cool.
At night : leave your shutters ajar to benefit from fresh air, especially if you live in a region where the nights are cool.

Choose your shutters wisely: which materials to choose?

Not all shutters are equal. Their thermal efficiency strongly depends on their composition:

PVC shutters: very insulating and inexpensive, but require good maintenance to remain durable.
Wooden shutters: aesthetic and effective, they offer good natural insulation but require regular maintenance (paint and varnish)
Metal shutters: practical and maintenance-free, they are however less efficient in terms of insulation against the cold.

Rolling shutters: a strategic choice

For rolling shutters, recent electric models with a box installed outside guarantee insulation as close as possible to the glazing, thus limiting cold air infiltration.

To find out if the shutters you are interested in offer good performance, consult the AEV (Air-Water-Vent) classification. Certified by public bodies such as the CSTB, this classification gives a grade from A1 to A4. For example, an A4 rated shutter will be much more insulating than an A1 model and will be able to withstand much more violent weather.

Motorized shutters: additional comfort

If you are looking to simplify the daily closing and opening of your shutters, installing motorized and connected shutters can be an excellent solution. These options allow you to program the opening and closing of the shutters at specific times. You can therefore set your shutters so that they open and close at the most convenient time to save heating. This can be especially handy in a large home or if you have a very busy schedule.

Some additional actions to reduce energy consumption

Install thermal curtains: an economical and easy-to-install addition to reinforce insulation without necessarily changing shutters.
Invest in a thermal assessment: have the insulation weaknesses of your home analyzed and then make appropriate improvements.
Use a programmable thermostat: it will help you optimize the management of the temperature in your home, thus reducing energy waste.

Closing the shutters at the most suitable times is an eco-friendly gesture accessible to everyone and particularly beneficial for homes with old or poorly insulated windows. Take the test at home and enjoy a more energy-efficient home!